A Moray cycle friendly street

By Chelsea Cucinotta

The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority (MMRA) has proposed an upgrade of the Moray St bike lane.

Two models are proposed for community and council consideration – a kerbside or a roadside bike lane, running along Moray St between Albert Rd and Queensbridge St.

The bike path will function as a 1.3 km connection between the City of Port Phillip and the CBD.

The upgrade comes in light of the City Rd Master Plan, which proposed plans to improve Southbank’s bicycle network between 2016 and 2020.

The Moray St kerbside model was the MMRA’s preferred option, and would run between the footpath and on-street parking, separating cyclists from moving traffic. The roadside proposal, on the other hand, would be situated between moving vehicles and on-street parking.

Melbourne Bicycle Users Group (BUG) shares the MMRA’s preference for a protected lane.

BUG spokesperson Jonathan Nolan said: “We’re really excited to have a broader and safer bicycle network in this area.”

Mr Nolan hopes that the proposed upgrade will encourage more Southbankers to give cycling a go.

“BUG sees this as a local neighbourhood route. Speedy or advanced cyclists can still utilise Cecil St and St Kilda Rd,” he said.

While commending the MMRA on its commitment to cyclist safety, BUG has also proposed various improvements to the protected bike lane model.

One suggestion is mountable kerbs, to give cyclists the option to overtake where there are no parked vehicles. Even with existing heritage bluestone, BUG suggests that raising the cycle lane by only a few centimetres would make the footpath side mountable.

BUG has also highlighted the need for a stronger connection between Moray and and Kavanagh streets, a current problem area for cyclists with limited links to surrounding streets. In their recommendation, BUG assessed two options for Kavanagh St.

“Both options are great, but option A would delay cars less and provide more room to pedestrians using the tram stop,” Mr Nolan said.

BUG also highlighted the need for improved lighting and a two-way track to separate pedestrians along Kavanagh St.

The bike lane project has been an interactive one, with the MMRA inviting public opinion through an online feedback form. Mr Nolan said the MMRA had been open to different opinions in the design process and had also had an “ongoing conversation” with BUG.

With community feedback in mind, the Moray St and Kavanagh St bike path upgrades are expected for completion later this year.